Aspiring kart racer Kieron Neil has attained his “A” licence and also secured his first sponsorship deal.

Kieron first raced in May last year and shed his novice plates the following November. He has now completed enough races at a minimum of three different tracks to move up to an “A” grade licence. This qualifies him to race in National Championship events throughout the UK.

More good news came in the shape of his first full sponsor Grantham Honda who have given Kieron a deal which should help him move up to the next level of competition.

Kieron’s grandfather Geoff Green said: “This is an important step which will cost more, so the fact that Chris Taylor and Grantham Honda have come forward is a massive boost of confidence to the team.”

If things could not get any better, Kieron had the surprise of his life when he ran into Michael Schumacher at the PFI karting circuit at Brandon at the end of August! The seven times F1 world champion dropped in at the track to take a look at the opening rounds of the World Karting Championships taking place there.

Geoff said: “Kieron asked for his photo and the champ obliged. It was a massive highlight to what was already a superb month.”

Comedy writer Eric Chappell has given his backing to the protest against proposals to close county libraries as part of sweeping cuts.

Mr Chappell, who wrote the TV comedy Rising Damp and lives in Barrowby, says he will sign a petition against the cuts which include reducing the opening hours of Grantham library by five.

The Save Lincolnshire Libraries protest group is holding a public meeting on Monday, September 16, in the Newton Room in the Guildhall Arts Centre at 7.30pm.

Mr Chappell said: “My first ever literary influence was in my local library. Throughout my career I have used libraries to research my material.”

He said that going online for books is not the same rich experience as visiting a library and that many books now out of print are still available tucked in the corner on library shelves and his other favourite places, secondhand bookshops.

Eric often visits libraries for research but does not take out any books in the course of his work. His said his own experience reveals the weakness in the Lincolnshire County Council’s argument that libraries are not used enough when their figures are based on book loans only.

Grantham South County Councillor Charmaine Morgan, a member of the Council’s Communities Scrutiny Committee, which refused to endorse the proposals, said: “Our library services play a pivotal role in our communities and only a library offers a chance to browse and discover new topics or authors for free. These cuts will hit those living in our rural communities and vulnerable people relying on access to Grantham’s stretched library services the most. Rural children will be particularly affected.”

In a bid to save £2m from the library budget the County Council Executive plans to reduce the number of villages receiving a mobile library service from 400 to 126. It is proposed that only 15 out of 47 libraries remain open.

Local poet Val Odell will be one of the guest speakers at Monday’s meeting. Petition forms will also be available to sign.

There is an on-line petition to sign at http://SaveLincsLibraries.org.uk

A father died in hospital after collapsing in his caravan, a Grantham inquest heard.

The family of John Robertson, 69, called an ambulance when they found him collapsed on the floor of his caravan off Maltings Lane in Gonerby Hill Foot on November 22 last year.

Mr Robertson was conscious and talking when he was found by family members who said they had not heard from him for two or three days. They called for an ambulance at 5.17pm. When the paramedic arrived, Mr Roberston was confused and slurring his speech and had a weak pulse, the inquest heard. He was given oxygen and the paramedic called for back-up.

When he was put on a stretcher he went into cardiac arrest and he was given CPR. Doctors tried to resuscitate 
him at Grantham Hospital but he was confirmed dead at 6.12pm.

Coroner Stuart Fisher concluded that Mr Robertson died of a massive pulmonary embolus, or clots on the lungs.

Grantham and District Bowls Association’s final competition final of the season was played at Swayfield on Sunday.

The Champion of Champions won contested by Gonerby’s Keith Wilson and Grantham’s James Stanfield. Keith emerged victorious in a tightly contested final, winning by 21 shots to 18.

Keith was also a member of the Great Gonerby Social Club bowls team that remained unbeaten all season in the GDBA 2-wood League, and they triumphed in the Fellowship of Freedom and Reform Cup too.

The team (pictured) also comprised Ian Lord, Kev Wilson, Mick Halls, Larry Turner, David Holten, Paul Jones, Lesley Lord, Lol Blankley, Brian Robinson, Mick Massingham, Barry Papworth and Phil Edwards.

ADD PIX

GDBA Champion of Champions finalists, winner Keith Wilson (left) and runner-up James Stanfield.

A topping out ceremony was held at Priory Ruskin Academy in Grantham last Friday to mark the completion of the roof on the new £13.5 million new school.

A ceremony was held on the roof in which a ceremonial trowel was presented by Paul Waller, director of Shepherd Construction which is building the new school, to Priory headteacher Clive Shepherd.

Lincolnshire County Council chairman Ray Wootton and Patricia Bradwell, Executive Councillor for Children’s Services, joined Academy staff pupils and representatives of Shepherd Construction for the ceremony.

Pupils will be able to move into their new classrooms in February, after the half-term, once the internal fittings of the buildings is complete. Then the old buildings, except for the exisiting sports and gym facilities, will be demolished to make way for better sporting facilities and car parking.

There are also plans for a swimming pool and cricket pavilion.

Headteacher Mr Shepherd said: “We are looking at the culmination of all the hard work over the last three years. We have given blood, sweat and tears to get to this stage and we are very much looking forward to moving in.”

Mr Shepherd said the school was looking forward to even closer links with the community and working with primary schools in the area.

Coun Bradwell said: “It’s good to see this major school project reach such a key milestone in the build programme.”

Chairman of governors June Kirton added: “The students will have brilliant opportunities and I hope they enjoy the new facilities. I never dreamt it would be like this.”

And parent governor and trustee Steve Milner said: “I think it’s fabulous. The kids are going to benefit from the amazing facilities which combined with the hard work they do in school are going to give great benefits.”

A new assistant headteacher has been appointed by Priory Ruskin Academy in Grantham.

Victoria Rossington has moved to the academy after teaching at Walton Girls’ High School for 21 years where she was Director of Performing Arts.

Mrs Rossington aims to bring more cultural awareness to the school so that students are inspired and motivated by the high quality and range of cultural events.

Mrs Rossington said: “I feel very passionate about helping students achieve their full potential through the Arts. I feel very strongly that all students are entitled to a range of high-quality Arts experiences, whatever their background and ability.”

She added: “It’s an exciting time to move to Priory Ruskin with the new £13.5 million build due to open in February 2014. I see great potential in what is already an excellent school.”

Mrs Rossington was one of the first Advanced Skills teachers in the country and she was invited to become an Advanced Lead Practitioner. As a result she was asked to meet Tony Blair at 10 Downing Street.

Mrs Rossington also wants to work closely with primary and secondary schools to develop Arts provision. She also aims to increase the availability of musical instruments in the school and develop choirs and ensembles.

A new community shop has opened in a pub in Aslackby.

Three people who call their business Shrub and Grub have set up the community shop in the Robin Hood and Little John pub. It opens every Saturday from 9am to noon.

Aslackby, a village of about 80 houses, has been without a shop for many years.

Shrub and Grub is run by Nathan Eaves with Alan Woodhead and his daughter Abi who are based in Swaton. Their shop supplies a range of fresh produce, plants and local crafts. These include fruit and vegetables from SJA Produce in Spalding, bread and pastries from Bread Smiths, of Thorpe Latimer, speciality cheeses from the Cheese Society in Lincoln, and meat from long-established butchers Hickson, also in Lincoln.

Customers can also enjoy fresh tea and coffee with homemade cakes and order any of the foods for delivery during the week.

Mr Eaves said they began selling in Swaton and grew the business from there. The new shop in Aslackby has started well since it began at the end of August.

Mr Eaves said: “We are looking at how we can make it even bigger and better. We will always sell the plants, cheese, meat and bread and everything is sourced locally.”

Young Nottingham Forest fanatic Bobby Gregorich enjoyed a dream day out at the City Ground when his team beat Bolton Wanderers 3-0.

Under-12 season ticket holder Bobby, who comes from three generations of Forest fans, was chosen as match mascot The Reds and led the team out on to the pitch in front of thousands prior to kick-off.

His day began when he met all the players and manager Billy Davies, had a tour of the ground and visited the VIP lounge.

Half an hour before kick-off, he took part in a kick-about with the Forest squad, and put the ball into the net past keeper Karl Darlow – which was more than Wanderers were able to do that afternoon!

As well as his memories, Bobby took home an autograph book and VIP mascot, and he will treasure his ticket stub and match programme for a long time to come.

His mother Andrea said Bobby had a great day at City Ground: “He loved it. He got a bit emotional but Billy Davies handed him a big bag of sweets.”

FA Cup

First round qualifying

Stamford 0

Grantham Town 0

Grantham Town have it all to do again on Tuesday night after their FA Cup first round qualifying match at Stamford ended in a goalless stalemate.

Kick-off at The Meres on Tuesday night is 7.45pm.

Grantham Town: Haystead, Purcicoe, Ridley, Meikle, Lister, Lewis, Burbeary, Nwadike, G. Smith, King, Watson. Subs: K. Smith, Deane, Graham, Towey, Pillerio, McGhee, Turner. Att: 318.

+ Elsewhere in the Cup, the clash of the titans saw FC United of Manchester go out of the competition at the first hurdle, defeated 1-0 at home by Northern Premier League Premier Division leaders Chorley.

Violence erupted in Grantham Market Place after a row between two friends at a taxi rank in the early hours of the morning.

Police officers on duty on August 11 saw Luke Garner of Tanners Lane, Corby Glen, headbutt another male “out of frustration” at 3.40am.

The court heard the victim of the headbutt was a good friend of Garner’s and the pair were part of a group who had been enjoying a night out in the town.

Chris Pye-Smith, defending, said: “They had all been out and had a very good night but right at the end of the night it went wrong.

“The taxi ordered by the defendant was taken by others including [the victim] who then turned and laughed directly in the face of the defendant. Unfortunately, you have heard what the defendant’s response was and clearly it was wrong.”

Mr Pye-Smith said the victim of the headbutt wrote to the court in support of Garner. Mr Pye-Smith said: “In the letter he says he would not have wanted to press charges. They are very good friends and he says the headbutt was provoked by himself and he suffered no injury.”

The police officers had difficulty restraining and arresting Garner. When he was pulled to his feet Garner, 22, was said to have kicked out several times at one of the officers who, in turn, struck the defendant.

Tracey Ross, prosecuting, said: “The PC ended up punching the defendant to the stomach to gain full control.”

In his police interview Garner said he felt the officers were “too rough with him” and “too heavy-handed” but he apologised for his actions.

Garner, who is out of work and living with his parents, admitted a public order offence and assaulting a police constable.

He was fined £145 and must pay a £25 surcharge.

A father has been jailed after hugging his son in breach of a restraining order.

Julian Carter, 41, was barred from contacting his son because of the restraining order but the court heard he walked over to the school yard at Marston Thorold Primary School, called his son to him and then hugged him from across the fence.

Carter admitted breaching his anti-social behaviour order and admitted the offence put him in breach of a 15-week suspended prison sentence for impersonating a police officer.

Mr Lowther, defending, said: “It came down to his emotions getting the better of him. His desperation to see his son overtook everything else.”

Mr Lowther told magistrates Carter was involved in a serious road accident when he was 14 which left him with long-term brain damage.

He added: “He is unable to read and write much beyond his own name.”

Magistrates sentenced Carter, of Melton Road, Waltham-on-the-Wolds, to eight weeks in prison for the breach of the restraining order while activating the 15-week prison sentence for impersonating a police officer. He was sentenced to a total of 23 weeks in custody.

Joggers running through Wyndham Park were attacked by a man with mental health problems.

Brendan Jablonski of Manthorpe Road, Grantham, admitted common assault following the incident on August 16.

Tracey Ross, prosecuting, said Jablonski grabbed one of the joggers as they passed near the white bridge and forced them into a fence. The second jogger intervened but Jablonski threw a punch, striking him in the chest.

The second jogger then retaliated by punching Jablonski and knocking him to the floor, allowing both joggers to walk away.

In his police interview Jablonski said he had drunk four pints of Stella Artois prior to the incident, even though his medication said he should not drink alcohol.

Rob Arthur, defending, said Jablonski had written a letter to the victims in which he said: “I am very sorry. I never meant for it to happen. I had a lot of problems that week and never meant to take it out on you.”

Mr Arthur told the court Jablonski, 30, has “significant mental health problems” and has been suffering from auditory and visual hallucinations. He informed magistrates that the defendant is due to have a brain scan later this month.

Sentencing was adjourned until September 30 for pre-sentence reports.

Banned driver Pawel Karwat crashed in Harlaxton Road and was found to be almost three times over the drink-drive limit.

Karwat, of Heathersage Close, Grantham, admitted driving whilst disqualified and drink-driving after crashing a Fiat Seicento in the early hours of August 18.

Police who arrived at the scene found evidence the car had “rolled over or skidded along on its roof” due to substantial damage to the bodywork.

Karwat, 22, was given a breath test and blew 92 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35 microgrammes.

Kate Macmillan, defending, said: “Mr Karwat has recognised in recent days he does have an issue with alcohol. His mother in Poland has a long-term illness that has got significantly worse recently and he admits to using alcohol as an emotional crutch.”

Karwat, who is a factory worker, was told he will be sentenced on September 17.

Alcoholic Simon Emeny found a knuckle-duster in the gutter after buying cans of beer in London Road, Grantham.

Kate Macmillan, defending, said Emeny walked only a few yards with the knuckle-duster before he was stopped by police and arrested.

She said: “He came out of the shop and saw the item in the gutter. He picked it up, knew what it was, and put it on, very stupidly.

“He showed it to a friend who said ‘quick, put it back’. He panicked and could not get it off as he has big hands and his fingers had swollen up. He walked only 10 yards before he was stopped by the police and arrested.”

Mrs Macmillan said Emeny, who admitted possession of an offensive weapon, is a vulnerable man who suffers from alcoholism, schizophrenia and Parkinson’s disease.

Magistrates adjourned the case for a pre-sentence report. Emeny, of Hillside Road, Woolsthorpe, must return to court on October 1 to be sentenced.

Drink-driver John Pattison said “it’s a fair cop” when appearing before magistrates on Monday.

Pattison, 67, of Templars Way, South Witham, admitted drink-driving after being stopped in Stamford. A road-side breath test found he was just over the limit.

Pattison, defending himself, said: “It’s a fair cop, as they say. No arguments.”

However, Pattison told magistrates he was caught out by a change of barrels at the pub where he was drinking.

He said: “I was drinking mild which is normally under four per cent but they changed the barrel just as I got there and it was 5.5 per cent.

“I obviously thought I was okay but didn’t realise what I was drinking was as strong as it was.”

Pattison was disqualified from driving for a year. He was fined £210 and must pay costs of £85 and a £21 surcharge.

FA Cup

First round qualifying

Stamford 0

Grantham Town 0

Grantham and Stamford will try again to sort out an FA Cup winner on Tuesday night. Neither side could get through some tight and at times desperate defending leaving both sides wondering what they need to do to unlock the door to victory.

Both defences stopped anything creating in either penalty area for a long time. Lee Ridley was well placed to break up a good Stamford move involving Daniel Lawlor, Andy Burgess and Shawn Richards after a quarter of an hour, but that was the best either side could muster.

It was typical of the game on 23 minutes that a good move from Grantham fell apart on the edge of the Stamford penalty area. Stamford broke quickly but, at the other end, Ryan Robbins shot wildly off target.

The home side finished the first half strongly. After 33 minutes, a ball over the top of the Grantham defence put in Jordan Smith. He shot across Dan Haystead but saw the Grantham goalkeeper get enough on the ball to ensure it rolled wide of the post.

A minute later, Jordan Smith and Nathan Haines worked a position on the Grantham left to deliver a cross. At the far post, Ryan Robbins turned the ball into the net, but the flag was already up for offside.

The home side also got away for the first real chance of a more open second half. Richards got away again on the Grantham left and squared for Jordan Smith, but Paul Lister did well to block his shot.

Stamford had the ball in the net for a second time just before the hour. Jordan Smith thought he had scored this time, but he had fouled Lee Ridley in getting to the ball.

It was only in the last 25 minutes that the Gingerbreads began to turn the screw on their hosts. A header from a corner after 68 minutes by Emeka Nwadike caused problems for the Stamford defence and they struggled to clear their lines. Kallum Smith and Rhys Lewis then opened up the Stamford defence for Ashley Burbeary, but his effort hit the side netting.

It was not all Grantham and Stamford had a good spell and could have taken the lead. Substitute Richard Wesley won the ball and sent Richards in again, only for him to waste the opportunity by shooting over the top.

The Grantham defence had to work hard twice in quick succession as first they were caught napping by a quickly taken free kick. Deon Meikle recovered quickly enough to block Robbins’ shot. The ball was put back into the danger zone and Wesley ran onto it, but Haystead was equal to his effort.

The last five minutes were all Grantham. Towey curled his shot past the upright and Greg Smith powered a header just over the crossbar from a Burbeary cross. Then Sam Purcicoe and Burbeary set up Paulo Piliero but he also missed the target.

In injury time, Jordan Smith could have won it for Stamford but Haystead kept scores level. At the other end, desperate defending from Stamford did the same. Greg Smith had his shot saved by Mario Ziccardi and only a brave block from Alvin Jarvis denied Burbeary an injury time winner.

Grantham Town: Haystead, Purcicoe, Ridley, Meikle, Lister, Lewis(Pilliero, 80), Burbeary, Nwadike, G. Smith, King (K. Smith, 63), Watson (Towey, 55). Subs not used: Keane, Graham, McGhee, Turner. Att:

United Counties League

Division One

Harrowby United 4

Woodford United 0

Harrowby United extended their opening unbeaten start to the league campaign to eight games with a comfortable victory against basement side Woodford United.

The game’s first chance fell to the visitors from Northamptonshire when a right wing cross was headed over the bar from a good position. The Arrows’ first opportunity came after six minutes when good work down the left by Tom Vorley and Lee Shaw created an opening for Jamie Preston who shot straight at Woodford stopper Domenico Roggero.

The home side nearly went ahead after 28 minutes when a great run down the right by Liam Harper saw him square to Wormall whose shot narrowly cleared the crossbar. Shaw had a great chance to open the Arrows’ account just after the half hour mark, but on getting into the penalty area, delayed his shot and allowed Woodford skipper Steve Grimley to snuff out the danger.

Further chances came Harrowby’s way but it was still all square at the break.

The home side gained the ascendancy straight from the off in the second period and raced into a two-goal lead within two minutes of the restart. Skipper Simon Bolland picked up a loose ball on the edge of the Woodford penalty area and slotted a low shot past Roggero.

The second came a minute later with a composed finish from Shaw, firing home from the right side of the area. A third goal arrived in the 73rd minute from Bobby Lee who produced a cool finish inside the penalty area after a good move between substitute Michael Neaverson and Shaw created the opening.

Five minutes later, Wormall added Harrowby’s fourth when he robbed a Woodford defender before calmly slotting past a helpless Roggero.

Making his senior competitive debut from the bench, under-17 player Billy Gray set up a shooting chance for Jack Whyley in the last minute, but his curling effort from the left edge of the area went marginally wide of the right hand post.

Man of the match was Liam Jaques and match ball sponsor was Hits Consultancy.

Harrowby United: Drury, Harper, Vorley (Gibson, 67), Kirton, Whyley, Lee (Gray, 78), Jaques, Bolland (c), Preston (Neaverson, 72), Wormall, Shaw. Subs not used: Johns, Hotchin.

+ Harrowby United’s next match is in the FA Vase on Saturday when they visit Peterborough North Star. Kick-off is 3pm with coach travel available from the Dickens Road ground at noon, £5 per seat.

When Louise Lewin posted a photograph on Facebook which she had taken at a crumbling historic hall, friends soon pointed out the ghostly apparition in the picture.

Louise, 34, of Shanklin Avenue, Grantham, is an urban explorer and was visiting Nocton Hall, near Lincoln, recently with her friend John Harrison. She took a photo of him under a cellar of the old building at about 9.30pm, but it wasn’t until Facebook users pointed out the apparition that she noticed the shadowy white shape.

Louise, a care worker, said: “Everybody kept commenting on it so then I looked into the history of Nocton Hall and there was a story about a crying girl who haunted the building. She was a servant girl who was raped and murdered.

“When we were there we did not feel any kind of presence. Reading the stories on the internet I think I do believe it now. It all makes sense. But it’s weird how we did not notice anything at the time. It looks like she is walking next to John and trying to link arms with him. When you zoom in her mouth is open and it looks like she is crying.

“Now we want to go back again and take a proper camcorder and I can use the nightcam.”

Nocton Hall was built in 1834, replacing an earlier hall which was destroyed by fire. The present building was also badly damaged by a fire in 2004. It was last used as a residential home in the 1990s. It was previously used as an RAF hospital.

Midlands League 2

East (North)

Kesteven 57

Melton Mowbray 0

Newly-promoted Kesteven made an impressive start in their higher league debut, resplendent in their new kit sponsored by QV Foods of Spalding.

The early exchanges were fairly even as both sides got to grips with the game. Kesteven showed their intent to play at pace and from the first penalty awarded in front of the posts, Chris Galloway tapped and ran. Melton had not retreated and from the next award Galloway kicked the first points.

This settled the home team and they were able to press Melton back into their own 22. One loose clearing kick was gathered by Whittaker 40 metres out. The young full back skipped and danced through the on-rushing defence to score a fine individual try. Galloway converted to open up a 10-point lead.

The visitors enjoyed their best spell of the game as they spent some time in the Kesteven half. Their heavy forwards were able to rumble on but the Kesteven defence was sound. They conceded a penalty which Melton looked to have converted but the referee disallowed the goal for an infringement by the kicker.

This was to prove crucial as moments later Will Bradley wrapped up a Melton player in a classic smother tackle and robbed him of the ball to break clear and score and give Ks a 15-point cushion.

Turner was next to score with a fine try after good lead-up work by Cann, before Galloway added the bonus point try with a great clean break. Bradley was the creator of the next try with a fine break up the touch line. He slipped the ball inside to the supporting Whittaker who once again manufactured space out of nothing to power his way over for the try. Galloway continued his success with the boot to bring the half time score to 36-0.

Kesteven got off to a great start after the break. Bradley picked up a loose ball and scored his second try with ease. Turner then got his second in support of a break by Galloway. Ks finished the game off when Turner broke clear on halfway and outpaced a tired Melton defence to complete his hat trick. Galloway continued his near perfect goal kicking performance by converting all three second half tries.

Kesteven: Whittaker, J. Hughes, Bradley, Cann, Taylor, Galloway, Wood, Sheardown, Hayward, Purvis, Pert, Carew, Webster, Woolerton, Turner. Reps: Martin, Cowley, Odams.

Kesteven’s first XV are pictured from left, back – James Cowley, Martin Carew, Will Pert and Will Bradley; middle – Harry Martin, Aaron Whitaker, Chris Galloway, Keiran Taylor, Scott Odams and Malcolm Turner; front – Will Cann, Tony Woolerton, Robert Sheardown, captain Tom Webster, Dan Turner, Gavin Purvis, Olly Wood and Jake Hughes

Grantham Town Supporters’ Club lotto (sponsored by Galaxy Fish Bar), winners of September 14 draw:

£200 – 969 A. Forsey; £10 – 605 Islanders; £5 – 611 G. Kenny, 860 C. Taylor, 301 R. Manterfield, 708 S. Bilner, 285 A. Matsell, 266 Islanders.